Silvertips have showdown with Medicine Hat

The Everett Silvertips find themselves at the apex of the Western Hockey League’s Western Conference.

The Medicine Hat Tigers occupy the same position in the Eastern Conference.

That means there’s a good old-fashioned showdown tonight.

Conference supremacy is on the line when the Tips travel to Medicine Hat to take on the Tigers tonight in an interconference heavyweight bout.

Everett (17-4-4-0) currently occupies the top spot in the entire WHL with 38 points. Medicine Hat (16-5-3-0) is right on Everett’s heels and tops the Eastern Conference with 35 points.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Everett winger Joshua Winquist said. “It should be a good game. We can’t take them lightly, they have a lot of skill and can score a lot of goals, so we have to be tight defensively.”

Tonight’s game begins the second half of Everett’s four-games-in-five-nights road trip through the Central Division. The Tips won the first two games, beating both Kootenay and Lethbridge by 3-2 scores.

“I think we’ve played pretty good,” Winquist said of the games. “We have four points, which is what we wanted.”

However, the Kootenay and Lethbridge games were just the opening acts. Now comes the main event. First there’s tonight’s game against the high-flying Tigers. Then the trip concludes Saturday at Calgary, which going into Thursday night’s contest against Prince George had the second-best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference.

The kicker to this weekend’s games is that Everett has little knowledge of either opponent, considering the teams face one another just once each season.

But one thing the Tips do know about Medicine Hat is that the Tigers can score goals. Medicine Hat has 13 players who each average at least half a point per game. And in winger Hunter Shinkaruk, a first-round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in this year’s NHL draft, the Tigers have one of the most explosive offensive players in the league.

“Neither team really knows each other much,” Winquist said. “The coaches will have us watch video, but it’s all about which team comes to work.”

Winquist has a shot at some personal glory in tonight’s game. He goes into the game having scored at least one point in 14 consecutive games. The Everett franchise record scoring streak is 15 games, set by Zach Hamill from Sept. 23-Nov. 7, 2006. Winquist, who has 11 goals and 14 assists during his streak, can match Hamill’s record with a point tonight.

It remains to be seen whether the Tips get defenseman Mirco Mueller back for the game. Mueller, taken six spots ahead of Shinkaruk in this year’s NHL draft by the San Jose Sharks, missed the first two games of Everett’s road trip because of illness.

Notes

While the Tips are hot — with wins in three of their past four games — the weather they’re experiencing in Canada is not.

“It’s about minus-15 (centigrade), which isn’t too bad,” Winquist said. “It’s a little tough on the Vancouver guys and lower-mainland (B.C.) guys, but not for us Alberta and Saskatchewan guys.”

Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.